‘And what does he deserve, think you, if he have done as he says?’ said Fabricius, speaking with agitation; ‘taking away what to me was more precious than life itself. What harm had I ever done him? To sell the sweet child for a slave—oh!’
‘’Twas a crime indeed, and no fate too hard for him,’ observed Cestus. ‘But haste, I beseech you! The poor devil is dying; have pity on him, and serve yourself as well; for, as like as not, you may get your maid again. ’Tis all plain to me now. When I first knew Lupus, some twenty years ago, he was as blithe a fellow as ever stepped; and then he began to change. Ay, ay! It is plain enough to see now what weighed upon him.’
‘Humph; do you say so?’
‘That is easily vouched for by others than myself. Will you not come? or must I go back and tell him——’
‘Faith, I am distraught. I know not——’
‘’Tis scarcely likely he would die with a lie on his lips, noble sir.’
‘I will go with you,’ said Fabricius, with a sudden determination. ‘Go to the porch and wait! Natta, haste! Bid Pannicus, Cyrrha, and Crotus take their staves and go forth with me to the Aventine. Fetch me my cloak and cap!’
‘What, now—to-night?’ demanded the astonished slave, who ran in at his master’s call.
‘Yes, now, this minute—haste!’
Now that his mind was made up the old man was burning with eagerness, and, ere long, he and his slaves were ready to depart.